Tim Follin

Alt./Nickname: Timothy J. Follin
Date of Birth: 1970
Location: UK
Website: www.timfollin.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk

Biography / Trivia

Tim Follin was born in St. Helens, UK. If his name doesn't ring a bell, you definitely need to learn more about Western VGM, since he is one of the most popular composers in fan communities. Tim is renowned for having pushed the limited sound chips of retro systems like the C64 and NES to their limits, while coming up with highly energetic and memorable music. He has two older brothers that have been involved in the gaming industry: Geoff (composer) and Mike (programmer). They often worked on the same games, under the same companies (Software Creations, Malibu Interactive, etc.).

One of Tim's main hobbies is to write and make films. He has done two short films so far: "Body Counting" (2004) and "The Sun Circle". The soundtracks were also done by him.

He is currently working as a "TV commercials director/producer, as well as producing programme branding packages, title sequences, animated graphics, corporate videos and multimedia. While Tim announced his departure from the VGM business in early 2006, he has since made another statement that he is back as a music composer, although he hasn't worked on a new game project yet.

  • The systems he liked writing the music for the most were the Commodore 64 and the SNES, along with the CD/digital format of later systems. It's interesting to note that he mentioned despising synthesized music in favor of real instruments.
  • He did some programming, for example on the game "Future Games". He also programmed a number of the sound drivers he worked with.
  • Tim can play the violin, guitar, bass, piano and penny whistle. Has been part of two bands; he played the keyboard in the first one and the bass in the second.
  • Some influential bands/artists include Electric Light Orchestra, Rush, Genesis, Yes, Vangelis, Quincy Jones, Jethro Tull, and Stevie Wonder. Classical music was also an influence.
  • He mentioned in an interview preferring to reach other levels of consciousness through dreams rather than drugs.
  • Demo: "Star Tip 2" (ZX), "Music Demo 1" (C64)

Games (60)

Year Title Platform Composer
1985 Star Firebirds ZX Tim Follin
1985 Subterranean Stryker ZX Tim Follin
1985 Vectron ZX Tim Follin
1986 Agent X ZX Tim Follin
1986 Future Games ZX Tim Follin
1987 Agent X II: The Mad Prof's Back! C64, ZX Tim Follin
1987 Bubble Bobble AST, ZX Tim Follin
1987 Chronos: A Tapestry of Time ZX Tim Follin
1987 Scumball C64 Tim Follin
1987 Sentinel ZX Tim Follin
1988 Bionic Commando AMI, AST, C64, ZX Tim Follin
1988 Black Lamp C64, ZX Tim Follin
1988 Body Slam C64 Tim Follin, Sega
1988 LED Storm AMI, AST, C64, ZX Tim Follin
1988 Peter Pack Rat C64, ZX ('89) Tim Follin, Mike Fuller
1988 Psycho Pigs UXB ZX Tim Follin
1988 Psycho Pigs UXB C64 Tim Follin, Geoff Follin
1988 Raw Recruit C64, ZX Tim Follin
1988 Renegade C64 Tim Follin
1988 Sky Shark C64, NES ('89) Tim Follin
1988 Star Paws ZX Tim Follin
1989 Ghouls 'N Ghosts AMI, AST, C64, ZX Tim Follin
1989 Magic Johnson's Basketball / Fast Break C64 Tim Follin
1989 Missile Ground Zero ZX Tim Follin
1989 Qix AMI, C64 Tim Follin
1989 Sly Spy AMI Geoff Follin, Tim Follin
1989 Solar Invasion ZX Tim Follin
1989 Target: Renegade NES Tim Follin
1990 Magic Johnson's Basketball / Fast Break NES Tim Follin
1990 Pictionary NES Tim Follin
1990 Puzznic AMI Tim Follin
1990 Silver Surfer NES Tim Follin, Geoff Follin
1990 Solstice NES Tim Follin
1991 Gauntlet III: The Final Quest AMI, AST, ZX Tim Follin, Geoff Follin
1991 Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade NES Tim Follin
1991 New Zealand Story / Kiwi Kraze NES Tim Follin, Geoff Follin
1991 Treasure Master NES Tim Follin
1992 Incredible Crash Dummies GB Tim Follin, Geoff Follin
1992 Spider-Man and The X-Men in Arcade's Revenge SNES Tim Follin, Geoff Follin
1992 Super Off Road SNES Tim Follin, Geoff Follin
1993 Equinox SNES Tim Follin, Geoff Follin
1993 Incredible Crash Dummies NES Tim Follin, Geoff Follin
1993 Plok! SNES Geoff Follin, Tim Follin
1993 Rock 'n Roll Racing SNES Tim Follin
1993 Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends SNES Tim Follin, Geoff Follin
1994 Ken Griffey Jr. Presents Major League Baseball SNES Chris Jojo, Paul Tonge, Matthew Cannon, Tim Follin, Geoff Follin
1994 Moto-X SNES Tim Follin, Geoff Follin
1994 Prime SCD Tim Follin, Geoff Follin
1994 Time Trax GEN Tim Follin
1995 Batman Forever SNES Tim Follin, Geoff Follin, Andy Brock
1998 Batman & Robin PSX Tim Follin
1998 WWF War Zone GB Tim Follin
1999 Bust-A-Move 4 GBC Tim Follin, Andy Brock, Taito
2000 Ecco the Dolphin: Defender of the Future DC, PS2 Tim Follin, Attila Héger
2003 Ford Racing 2 XBOX, PS2, PC Tim Follin, Bjørn Lynne
2003 Starsky & Hutch PC, PS2, XBOX, GCN Tim Follin, Dave Sullivan, Matthew Costello
2004 Ford Racing 3 XBOX, PC, PS2 Tim Follin, Muddy Funkers, Paul Stroud
2004 Future Tactics: The Uprising PS2, GCN, XBOX, PC Tim Follin
2006 Lemmings PSP Tim Follin, Bjørn Lynne
94-97 Firearm PSX Tim Follin, Geoff Follin

Albums (6)

Release Date Title Type
2003 Back in Time 3 CD
2003 RUN/STOP RESTORE CD
2005 Revival ST CD
2006 Immortal 3 CD
2007 The Blithe, The Blend & The Bizarre CD
2008-09-16 Retro Remix Revue - Volume 1 Digital Release

Download Links

» Batman Forever (SPC)
» Equinox (SPC)
» Future Tactics: The Uprising (Game Rip)
» Ken Griffey Jr. Presents Major League Baseball (SPC)
» Plok! (SPC)
» Rock 'n Roll Racing (SPC)
» Spider-Man and The X-Men in Arcade's Revenge (SPC)
» Super Off Road (SPC)
» Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends (SPC)

Links

Added by Rimo on Mar 1, 2008 12:00 PM Edited by Drakken on Mar 12, 2008 08:56 PM